Photographic material drying apparatus



Aug. -2, 1966 M. B. FLEISHER ETAL 3,263,345

PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL DRYING APPARATUS Filed April 24, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet l L INVENTORJ me MwrwinE/Zeakker P/Zih'piif/a'x 022,

ATTORNEY} Aug. 2, 1966 M. B. FLEISHER ETAL 3,

PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL DRYING APPARATUS Filed April 24, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS Marvin/,5 Flc'z's/a ergt P/wZa v 1 Hix on ATTORNEYS Aug. 2, 1966 M. B. FLEISHER ETAL 3,263,345

PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL DRYING APPARATUS Filed April 24, 1963 3 Sheets-Shqet :5

INVENTORS Marvin Flak/2 er' Pkz'lv I. f/z'xow ATTORNEYS United States Patent Office Patented August 2, 1966 3,263,345 PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL DRYING APPARATUS Marvin B. Fleisher, Wantagh, and Philip E. Hixon, Jericho, N.Y.,- assignors to The Rolor Corporation,

Syosset, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Apr. 24, 1963, Ser. No. 275,361 4 Claims. (Cl. 34-159) The present invention relates to improvements in a photographic material processing apparatus, and relates more particularly to a drier for photographic material. More specifically, the instant invention is directed to a drier employing a plurality of endless belts by means of which damp photographic sheet material may be advantageously carried through a drying zone and delivered in a dried state in a perfectly flat uncurled condition.

In the drying of photographic sheet material, such as prints for example, it has been customary to pass the sheet material over heated drums or through hot air ovens and the like. Furthermore, it has been suggested to convey the sheet material through a drying zone by means of a pair of endless belts. However, these prior art machines have left much to be desired. For example, in conventional devices of this type, the finished article is very often scratched, curled, creased or otherwise undesirably influenced, and thus does not have the desired high quality.

The present invention overcomes these and other disadvantages by providing a drier through which any type of photograph material may be processed and which provides a finished product of excellent quality.

An important object of this invention is to provide an improved drier for photographic sheet material.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved drier that is adapted to successfully dry all types of photographic material without modifying the drying chamber.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a conveyor for the photographic sheet material in the form of a plurality of cooperating endless belts of spongy material.

Still another object of this invention is to provide reinforced conveyor belts of a spongy synthetic polymeric material which transports the photographic material through the drying zones.

A still further object of this invention isto provide a novel transfer mechanism between each pair of endless belts which will readily transfer any type of photographic material between successive runs of endless belts without creasing or marring said material.

More specifically, the drier of the present invention utilizes a five belt conveyor system for conveying photographic material through a drying zone. The conveyor system of the drier is so designed that it will continuously move a photographic print or other sheet through a series of vertical passes defined by adjoining endless belts whereby the print or sheet is carried past a plurality of heating elements. Associated with the endless belts at their uppermost and lowermost portions is a transfer mechanism arranged to eliminate the creasing of the conveyed material as it moves between successive vertical passes.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of the drier embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the drier of FIG. 1 taken along the line 2--2;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the drier shown in FIG. 1, with the drier housing removed;

tion of one of the endless belts; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 1.

In the drawings, like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a housing 10 enclosing the drier. A feed tray 12 positioned at the upper end of the housing introduces sheet material to be dried into the drying zone. As the sheet material must be placed in close proximity to the drying elements, there is provided means to carry the material downwardly towards the bottom of the housing, and thence upwardly, whereby the material may pass the drying elements. To this end, there is provided a first pair of endless belts, 14, 16 for receiving the material from the feed tray 12. The abutting vertical runs of belts 14, 16 constitute the initial vertical pass of the drier. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper portion of belt 14 is trained about roller 18 suitably mounted on a shaft 20, and the lower portion of belt 14 is trained about a roller 22 mounted on a shaft 24, and also around an idler roller 26. As clearly shown, the upper portion of belt 16 is trained about a pair of idler rollers 28, 30. In accordance with this invention, the axis of roller 28 is positioned in a common vertical plane with the axis of roller 18. In a like manner, the axis of idler roller 30 is positioned above the axis of roller 32 mounted on shaft 34. The lowermost portion of belt 16 is trained about roller 36 mounted on shaft 38. Viewing FIG. 2, it will be apparent that the axis of idler roller 26 is in substantially the same plane as the axis of the lower support roller 36. The positioning of rollers 22, 26 and 36 is an essential feature of the instant invention and defines a novel transfer zone between successive belts. The material carried down between the sides of belts 14, 16 is restrained on both of itsv sides until it is conveyed to a point in alignment with the axes of rollers 26, 36. Thus, the leading edge of the material is momentarily projected in unsup ported condition tangentially to the circumferences of rollers 26, 36 until it contacts the belt 40 which is traveling in a direction opposite to that of belts 14, 16. By allowing the material to be unrestrained between rollers 26, 36, the tendency of the material to become creased as it changes direction is overcome. The cooperating edges of belts 16 and 40 define the second vertical pass within the drying zone. The lowermost portion of belt 40 is trained around a pair of idler rollers 42, 44 in a manner similar to belt 16 and rollers 28, 30 described above. The relative position of roller 42 is such that the belt 40 is slightly inclined in the region where it contacts and receives the leading edge of the material moving between rollers 26 and 36.

As the material reaches the upper portion of the pass defined by belts 16 and 40, its direction of travel is again reversed in a manner analogous to that described previously. Thus, the material becomes unrestrained at a point essentially in vertical alignment between the axis of rollers 30, 32. A fourth endless belt 46 is suitably positioned to receive the unsupported edge of therna-terial and carries the same downward-1y through a third vertical pass defined by belts 40, 46, which terminates in another reversal zone defined by rollers 44, 52 and 62, which functions in the same manner as the first reversal zone described hereinabove. A suitable rotatable shaft supports roller 52 in an obvious manner.

As clearly shown in FIG. 2, the uppermost portion of belt 46 is trained over idler rollers 48, 50 which are comparable in purpose and function to idler rollers 42, 44 described in connection with belt 40. A fourth and final vertical pass is defined by belt 56 cooperating with belt 46. As clearly shown belt 5 6 is trained at its lowermost portion about roller 58 supported on shaft 60 and another idler roller 62, while its uppermost portion is trained about roller 64 mounted on the shaft 66. A discharge chute 68 is also provided for passing the dried material out of the drying zone. Optimum results are obtained by the use of four vertical passes. However, it will be appreciated that the number of passes shown in the drier is merely for the purpose of illustration, and is not to be considered as imposing any limitation upon this invention.

Any suitable mechanism may be employed to drive the aforementioned belt conveyor system. In the illustrated embodiment, a chain drive indicated diagrammatically by reference numeral 70 operates a sprocket 72 secured upon shaft 66. As clearly shown in FIG. '1, the shaft is suitably mounted in the end walls 74, 75 of the housing. The drying mechanism further includes operatively connected gears 76, 78, 80, 82, 84 at the upper portion of the housing and lower gears 92, 94, 96, 98 and 100. Also, a sprocket 86 is positioned on shaft 34 coaxially with gear and engages an endless chain 88 trained about a lower sprocket 90.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a suitable gaseous heating medium such as hot air is supplied from any appropriate source through an inlet 102 and header 104 in the housing 10. In accordance with this invention, a plurality of horizontal discharge conduits 106 are connected to the header 104- and are positioned in vertical alignment at spaced points between the belts 14, 16, 40, 46 and 56. Preferably, these conduits are spaced between the runs of each belt. Each conduit is provided with a discharge aperture 108 lfOI' directing the heating medium against the endless belts.

While apertures 10% are shown as discharging essentially perpendicularly against the belts, it will be appreciated that the number and position of the apertures may be varied as desired. In this connection, it is to be noted that the innermost conduits 106 are capable of directing the heating medium to the belts on both sides thereof. Thus, it is readily apparent that the sheet material will always be in close proximity to a plurality of heating elements as it is being conveyed through the heating zone by means of the endless belts. Such an arrangement of elements provides for a thorough drying of the material and results in a finished product of superior quality.

Another essential feature of the present invention is the construction of the several endless belts defining the vertical passes in the drying zone. The construction of the belts is best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The belts employed in the present invention are made of any resilient cellular or spongelike material preferably having a basis of a synthetic polymeric material. Optimum results are obtained by the use of cellular polyurethane which permits the heating medium to readily pass through the surface of the belts and contact the material carried therebetween.

As shown in FIG. 5, each of the belts includes a first layer 1 10 of polyurethane foam, a second foam layer 112 and an intermediate flexible wire reinforcing web generally indicated by reference numeral :1-14. The reinforcing web stabilizes the belt and prevents the same from stretching during use. As cleanly shown, the web 114 is comprised of a plurality of interconnected wires. Preferably each wire strand includes a curved end 116, and a U shaped portion 118 terminating in an essentially straight portion 120, extending transversely of the belt. Portions 120 of each strand terminate in a connecting portion 122. The construction of the wire reinforcing web is such that an individual strand may be disengaged and replaced if damaged.

' While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive idea may be carried out in a number of ways. This application is, therefore, not to be limited to the precise details shown, but is intended to cover all variations and modifications thereof falling within the spirit of the invent-ion or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Photographic sheet material dry-ing apparatus comprising a housing, an assembly operatively positioned in said housing and including first, second and third endless belts with adjacent runs of the belts abutting to form downward and upward material conveying passes through said housing, rollers supporting the lowermost portions of said first and second belts, said rollers being positioned with their axes in vertical alignment, so that the lower ends of said first and second belts continue to abut against each other over a portion of the peripheries of said support rollers and photographic material carried between said first and second belts is discharged in a generally horizontal direction tangentially to said rollers and ad jacent the lowermost portion of said third belt traveling in a direction opposite to that of said first and second belts.

2. A photographic sheet material drying apparatus in accordance with claim 8 further including fourth and fifth endless 'belts provided with material transfer means at opposite ends thereof.

3. A drier for photographic sheet material comprising first and second endless belts having abutting vertical runs cooperating to form a vertical material receiving pass, said second belt extending around a support roller at the bottom of said vertical pass, said first belt extending around a roller positioned beneath said support roller, the axes of said rollers being essentially parallel and essentially lying in a common vertical plane so that said first and second belts continue to abut over a portion of the periphery of said support roller and material is discharged from between said first and second belts tangentially to said support roller, and .a third endless belt cooperating with another run of said second belt to form a second vertical pass, means to position said third belt so that an acute angle is formed as the leading edge of material from said first pass contacts said third belt, and a plurality of supply conduits for a heating medium provided with apertures for discharging the heating medium against said endless belts.

4. In a photographic material drying apparatus, the combination with a housing defining a heating zone, an assembly operatively positioned in said housing, said assembly including a plurality of endless belts of spongy material trained about supporting rollers with adjacent runs of the belts cooperating to form a plurality of vertical downward and upward passes for conveying photographic material through said housing, and material transfer mechanisms positioned adjacent the ends of said vertical passes, the material transfer mechanism at the lowermost portion of the housing including an idler roller operatively associated with a belt supporting roller, and the axes of said idler roller and belt supporting roller being in vertical alignment.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 340,335 4/1886 Lindsay 34-116 X 1,907,786 5/1933 Gessner 34159 2,001,345 5/1935 Forty 34159 X 2,718,791 9/1955 Hose et a1. 74239 3,072,037 1/ 1963 Hixon et a1. -94

FOREIGN PATENTS 12,266 11/1916 Great Britain.

WILLIAM F. ODEA, Primary Examiner.

C. R. REMKE, Assistant Examiner. 

4. IN A PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL DRYING APPARATUS, THE COMBINATION WITH A HOUSING DEFINING A HEATING ZONE, AN ASSEMBLY OPERATIVELY POSITIONED IN SAID HOUSING, SAID ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF ENDLESS BELTS OF SPONGY MATERIAL TRAINED ABOUT SUPPORTING ROLLERS WITH ADJACENT RUNS OF THE BELTS COOPERATING TO FORM A PLURALITY OF VERTICAL DOWNWARD AND UPWARD PASSES FOR CONVEYING PHOTOGRAHIC MATERIAL THROUGH SAID HOUSING, AND MATERIAL TRANSFER MECHANISM POSITIONED ADJACENT THE ENDS OF SAID VERTICAL PASSES, THE MATERIAL TRANSFER MECHANISM AT THE LOWERMOST PORTION OF THE HOUSING INCLUDING AN IDLER ROLLER OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH A BELT SUPPORTING ROLLER, AND THE AXES OF SAID IDLER ROLLER AND BELT SUPPORTING ROLLER BEING IN VERTICAL ALIGNMENT. 